Private Tour
Shamisen Experience in Kyoto 【Private】
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
You'll receive direct lessons from a professional Shamisen player with 20 years of experience.
It’s extremely rare to find Shamisen lessons in English within Japan.
In just 30 minutes, you'll be able to play a well-known traditional Japanese song! You can also immerse yourself in a meditative Shamisen session while enjoying the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese house.
We're looking forward to our session at the Shamisen Dojo!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Learning the Shamisen in English. This makes our facility one of Kyoto's rare gems. During the lesson, you can enjoy Japanese tea while having relaxed conversations with the owner, who is also a professional Shamisen player. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to be beginner-friendly, ensuring that even first-time players can enjoy learning the Shamisen with ease. The highlight of the lesson, however, is the jam session with the owner, using traditional Japanese scales. The professional player will accompany you, offering guidance while encouraging you to freely play melodies and express yourself through the Shamisen. This groundbreaking program has even received recognition from experts in the Shamisen community. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience something truly special—come and join us! Additionally, we have lefty Shamisen available for left-handed players.
What‘s Included
Souvenir ; Take home a small, unique souvenir to commemorate your experience.
Samue ; to further immerse yourself in the experience, you will wear traditional samue.
Photo/video session
Demonstration by a professional instructor
Take a quick break from the lesson and enjoy a cup of Japanese green tea.
Rental Shamisen and Accesarres
A demonstration performance by the instructor
Options
Shamisen Experience in Kyoto
Workshop
Tea Break : During this time, feel free to ask any questions about the instructor, the shamisen, or anything else.
Reviews
86 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing shamisen lesson!
tanyanB7570IE,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jack is such an awesome teacher and so good at putting you at ease. We had a great time learning the basics of this amazing instrument!
Cosy Dojo. Cool sounds.
877jalenj,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a fun and chill smooth experience. The lesson was easy to follow and Jack was a good teacher. The Dojos aesthetics are calm and cosy.
Do this if you're in Kyoto. If you're not going to be in Kyoto, change your plans, go to Kyoto, and do this.
trevorcK4448HW,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I had incredible experiences every single day of our trip to Japan, and this was honestly the standout favorite for both of us. Jack is super friendly, easy to have a conversation with, and most of all is a fantastic instructor! He taught us fundamental scales used in various regions and eras of Japan which felt like we were really engaging with part of the musical culture and history of Japan. Each one he'd show the scale ascending and descending, then would shred some improv showing the emotions each scale could evoke. By the end of the lesson we were doing improv solos of our own (admittedly much less impressive than his). We also learned some traditional Japanese songs perfect for beginners (we've both had Sakura stuck in our heads since we left the Dojo). Jack went above and beyond our expectations, and we both plan on doing online lessons with him in the future.
Better than I imagined!!
floydk944,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This lesson and experience was even better then if I imagined it myself. Jack is an experienced teacher and player and keeps the lesson geared toward instruction AND fun at the same time! I can see anyone wanting to learn and play a literally in a living Japanese art form would love this experience. Now I think I am hooked on this instrument thanks to Jack!
Shamisen in Kyoto
E3316YJdavidk,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a wonderful experience. Very simple to book online. I travelled to the dojo by bike which was easy to find. Jack is an accomplished player and a skilled teacher. He is calm and encouraging. The 90 minute lesson went by quickly and I left with a deeper appreciation for an instrument I had little knowledge of before visiting Japan. A great way to mark New Year’s Eve in Kyoto. Thank you Jack!
Amazing instructor
A1370XUeliasd,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Me and my family came into the Dojo, all of us except my dad had no experience on any instruments. Jack changed that quick, me and my family got the hang of the shamisen quick, and learned to play many songs! The dojo looks really nice too. Everything about this place was amazing, but Jack was what made it amazing. And to anybody reading this, check out the music he produces, it’s amazing!
MUST READ
Y9943YDderekr,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I'm going to stop you right there cause you gotta listen to the tale of the legendary Shamisen sensei. Patient, disciplines and skillful in the art of teaching to play such a delightful instrument. Japan has many options for instruments, but the strokes of the cords of the shamisen rival any instrument in the west. Don't miss out on the opportunity of finding a new passion.
THE Shamisen sensei
Derek R,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Jack-san is an excellent sensei. Took his time teaching me the basics and even taught advanced things he normally wouldn't. If you wish to try your skills and taste japanese traditional music. This is you sensei!
Great Fun
I2673ZQjuliad,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Joyful from beginning to end, so much fitted into 1.5 hours I learned so much and left very inspired. I wish I could have a lesson every week! Very fun.
Fabulous private lesson on the shamisen with the incomparable Jack!
wildand60,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I got my husband a private shamisen lesson with Jack for his birthday, and my friend and I were lucky enough to watch. It was the highpoint of our trip to Japan. Jack is a phenomenal teacher: patient, systematic, encouraging, and funny! My husband was able to play a traditional song at the end, and then Jack regaled us with a mini-concert of different kinds of music on the shamisen. He is an extraordinary musician. I only hope I have another opportunity to hear him play. If you love music and have some previous musical experience this is a must-do opportunity in Kyoto. You'll never forget it.
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